Michael Phelps Was In ‘Really Dark Place’ Following 2014 DUI Arrest

Michael Phelps seemingly had it all. He was one of the most recognizable sports figures in the world, and he had the Olympic medals to back it up.

But Phelps’ life changed back in September 2014 when the Olympic swimmer was arrested for a DUI. And the days after his arrest were extremely painful.

“I was in a really dark place,” Phelps told Sports Illustrated’s Tim Layden in an upcoming profile. “Not wanting to be alive anymore.”

Phelps went into rehab, which is where he learned USA Swimming suspended him for six months and banned him from the 2015 world championships.

“I knew I was going to get suspended,” Phelps said. “I didn’t know they were going to take worlds away. I didn’t know that was even an option. Everybody in the room looked over at me. I said, ‘Yup, that’s me. Cat’s out of the bag.’ I stood up, walked over and got a drink of water, sat back down. ‘Yup, that’s me.’ ”

But Phelps has since pledged not to drink until after the 2016 Summer Olympics, where he will make his Olympic return four years after retiring.

 

Thumbnail photo via Soobum Im/USA TODAY Sports Images